By Suzanne Laurent and julie huss
staff writers
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LONDONDERRY — Amina Dallahi began kindergarten at Moose Hill School two weeks ago, something she was unable to do last year.
Amina, now 6, was then in the middle of a two-year chemotherapy treatment for leukemia and her immune system was too compromised to attend school.
Her mom said Amina "loves school," and enjoys dancing and singing.
"She loves the show, 'So You Think You Can Dance,' and 'Disney's High School Musical,'" Jeanne Dallahi said. "Later this month, we are going to Disney World as a Make-A Wish trip to celebrate her end of treatment."
For the second year, her parents Jeanne and Driss Dallahi will walk in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk on Sunday, Sept. 12.
"Amina's prognosis is excellent," Jeanne Dallahi said. "She went into remission on schedule and has an 85 percent chance of not relapsing. We have the Jimmy Fund to thank."
Last year, Amina's siblings, Tarik, 13, and Driss Jr., 15 also walked.
The Dallahis will be joined by more than two dozen walkers from the Derry/Londonderry area.
They will be among the more than 8,000 walkers expected to participate with a collective goal of raising more than $6.5 million for cancer research and care for adult and pediatric cancer patients at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Walkers may choose to walk one of four routes: the entire 26.2-mile marathon route from Hopkinton, the Babson to Boston 13.1-mile route, the Boston College 5-mile route, or the 3-mile route with patients and their families starting at the Dana-Farber campus. There also is a virtual walk option, allowing participants to fundraise online.
Derry resident Carolyn Morgenstern hopes to run 20 miles. Morgenstern is a five-year kidney cancer survivor. She is part of team "Tumor-Nators," which includes women who met as "soccer moms" and ended up being diagnosed with cancer. This is Morgenstern's second year participating in the Jimmy Fund event.
Diagnosed with kidney cancer five years ago at the age of 41, she said she feels lucky to have found the cancer very early.
"I feel healthier than ever, " she said.
After the walk, participants are treated to a victory party at the Copley Square finish line.
Also participating this year from Londonderry are Deborah Beaudoin, Truda Bloom, Kate Bolton, Lisa Cook, Sarah Garofalo, Patricia Grabowski, Judith James, Erica Maquire, Rebecca Miles, Colleen Monks, Len Musick, Theresa Shanley, Julia Spiegelman and Gary Stewart.
Other Derry participants are Debbie Anshewitz, Paula Dudley, Mary Eaton, Carol Guerard, Dianne Hein, Lauren Kane, Kathleen Lynch, Charlene Thomas, Chris Tomeo and Janine Tomeo.
To register or contribute, visit JimmyFundWalk.org or call (866) JF-1-WALK.
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